Bobbin seating and removing apparatus and method

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for delivering filled bobbins to an indexing creel of a winding machine and removing empty bobbins from the creel. A bobbin is dropped through a device which slows the descent of the bobbin while effectively preventing any substantial scuffing of the yarn on the bobbin. The bobbin drops vertically into a creel tube and onto a magnetic seat. An iron or steel ring on the end of the bobbin core magnetically couples the bobbin and the seat. The creel tube is pivotally mounted to swing outwardly for ejecting an empty bobbin during subsequent indexing of the creel. However during receipt of the bobbin the tube is prevented from such pivotal movement to prevent improper seating or ejection of the bobbin. When the creel indexes to eject an empty bobbin the top end of the bobbin core is displaced laterally so that the iron ring is tilted on the magnetic seat for at least partially breaking the magnetic coupling, and then the creel tube is swung outwardly to slide the ring across the magnetic seat and eject the bobbin from the creel.

United States Patent [72] Inventors 2,561,155 7/1951 Thomas,Jr.etal.

Charles W. Brouwer East Greenwich;

Larry C. Cowan, Jamestown; Robert Horton, Warwick, all 0!, RJ.

Appl. No. 837,429

Filed June 30, 1969 Patented Aug. 17, 1971 Assignee Lessona Corporation Warwick, RJ.

BOBBIN SEATING AND REMOVING APPARATUS AND METHOD References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 242/4621 2,628,468 2/1953 Greene Primary Examiner-Leonard D. Christian Attorneys- -Albert Davis and Burnett W. Norton ABSTRACT: Apparatus for delivering filled bobbins to an indexing creel of a winding machine and removing empty bobbins from the creel. A bobbin is dropped through a device which slows the descent of the bobbin while eflectively preventing any substantial scuffing of the yarn on the bobbin. The bobbin drops vertically into a creel tube and onto a magnetic seat. An iron or steel ring on the end of the bobbin core magnetically couples the bobbin and the seat. The creel tube is pivotally mounted to swing outwardly for ejecting an empty bobbin during subsequent indexing of the creel. However during receipt of the bobbin the tube is prevented from such a pivotal movement to prevent improper seating or ejection of the bobbin. When the creel indexes to eject an empty bobbin the top end of the bobbin core is displaced laterally so that the iron ring is tilted on the magnetic seat for at least partially breaking the magnetic coupling, and then the creel tube is swung outwardly to slide the ring across the magnetic seat and eject the bobbin from the creel.

PATENTEDAUGI'HQYI 9,599,892

SHEET 2 BF 2 INVENTORS CHARLES W. BROUWER LARRY C. COWAN BY ROBERT HOR' I'ON ATTORNEYS BOBBIN SEATING AND REMOVING APPARATUS AND METHOD This invention relates to a bobbin-handling method and apparatus and, more particularly, to such apparatus and method for delivering a bobbin to a seat and removing the bobbin from the seat.

As used herein the term yarn" means any sort of strand material either textile or otherwise, and the term bobbin" means a package or other product of a winding machine, whateverits form.

An environment for the invention is shown in a Leesona Corporation patent, U.S. Pat. No. 3,048,349, granted Aug. 7, 1962. This patent discloses a holder or carrier for at least two yarn packages or bobbins. The holder is rotatable about a vertical axis for simultaneously transferring a fresh package from a reserve position to an active (unwinding) position and for ejecting a spent package previously in the active position. Mounted adjacent a pin-type seat for each package is a lift member which is raised to displace the package from its pin, and above each seat is a discharge member (in the form of a bobbin-receiving tube) which is swung outwardly to eject the packagefrom the holder. In loading fresh bobbins, a winding machine attendant drops the bobbin into the tube and onto the seat in the reserve position and arranges the end of yarn in a suitable position for subsequent introduction into the winding operation.

Copending Leesona Corporation patent applications are directed to magnetic seats in lieu of the previously mentioned pins. A first of these copending applications, U.S. Ser. No. 724,512, filed Apr. 26, 1968, by Karl Eisenhammer is directed to a magnetic seat for packages. The second copending application, U.S. Ser. No. 713,650, filed Mar. 18, I968, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,524,605 by Larry C. Cowan is directed to a shunt for the magnetic seat to break the magnetic coupling between the seat-and the bobbin thereby facilitating removal of the spent bobbin from the seat. These applications discuss the advantages of such magnetic seats, and reference may be had thereto for a full discussion thereof.

For automatic handling of bobbins, a bobbin may be dropped from a magazine into the tube and onto the magnetic seat. Under certain circumstances it is desirable that the magazine and conveying apparatus for delivering the bobbins to the magazine be positioned a substantial distance above the seat, and as the bobbin is dropping onto the seat its velocity would normally increase possibly sufficiently that damage to the seat might result. Furthermore, the tube which receives the falling bobbin may be mounted to pivot laterally of the bobbin in order to eject the bobbin when the yarn has been unwound therefrom. However, during delivery of the bobbin to the seat, the falling bobbincould cause the tube to pivot and prevent the bobbinfrom properly seating or may .even eject the bobbin. Subsequently, when the tube pivots to eject the bobbin the bobbin slides across the magnetic seat which exerts a considerable force resisting such sliding movement and the shunt described in thepreviously noted copending application U. S. Ser. No. 713,650 now US. Pat. No. 3,524,605

is one approach to overcoming this difiiculty.

The inventiomin brief, is directed to a bobbin-handling apparatus and method in which a bobbin is dropped onto a magnetic seat afterhavingits rate of fall slowed in such a manner that yarn on the bobbin is not damaged. In subsequently ejecting the bobbin from the seat the bobbin is tilted on the seat in order to at least .partially break the magnetic coupling between the seat and an iron or steel ring on the bobbin core, whereupon the tube is swung outwardly to slide the bobbin off of the seat. During receipt of .the bobbin in the tube such swinging movement, is prevented in order to eliminate any possibility of the falling bobbin initiating swinging movement of the tube and possible inaccurate positioning on the seat or ejection, from thetube.

It is a primaryobject of this invention to provide a new and improved'bobbinshandling apparatus and method.

Another object is to provide a new and improved bobbinhandling apparatus and method in which the fall of a filled bobbin is effectively slowed without substantial damage to the yarn on the bobbin. A related object is provision of such apparatus and method which is adjustable for handling varioussize bobbins.

A further object is provision of a new and improved bobbinhandling apparatus in which a bobbin is dropped into a tube and onto a seat, the tube being mounted for subsequent movement in ejecting the bobbin from the seat, with provision for preventing such movement of the tube at the time of receipt of the bobbin.

Still another object is provision of a new and improved bobbin-handling apparatus in which a bobbin is magnetically coupled to a seat, with provision for at least partially breaking the magnetic coupling prior to removal of the bobbin from-the seat. A related object is provision of such apparatus for.;tilting the bobbin to at least partially break the magnetic coupling prior to sliding the bobbin off of the seat. v

A more specific object is to provide new and improved bobbin-handling apparatus in which the fall of a filled bobbin is effectively slowed, by adjustable apparatus for handlingvarioussize bobbins, with the bobbin dropped into a tube and onto a seat, the tube being mounted for subsequent movement in ejecting the bobbin from the seat, with provision for preventing such movement of the tube at the time of receipt of the bobbin, and in which the bobbin is magnetically coupled to a seat, with provision for tilting the bobbin to at least partially break the magnetic coupling prior to removal of the bobbin from the seat.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary, schematic elevational view of a preferred embodiment of the invention, with parts broken away and removed for clearer illustration;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, sectional view taken generally along the line 2-2 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken generally along the line 3-3 in FIG. 2, with parts removed for clearer illustration;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to FIG. 2 of another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken generally along the line 5-5 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 5 but with the apparatus in a prior position;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken generally along the line 7-7 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken generally along the line 8-8 in FIG. 7, with parts removed for clearer illustration;

FIG. 9 (sheet 1) is a sectional view taken generally along the line 9--9 in FIG. I with parts removed for clearer illustration.

Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, a trap door 10 of a magazine 12 has been opened to drop a filled yarn bobbin 14.

through a slowing device 16 from which the bobbin drops to a creel 18 of a winding machine. In general, the creel may be of any suitable type, for example such as that disclosed in the previously noted US. Pat. No. 3,048,349. For purposes of simpler illustration, in FIG. 1 the creel is shown in a stationary position for receiving a bobbin, but simultaneously ejecting a bobbin, whereas the creel disclosed in the previously noted patent ejects the bobbin as the creel is moving and has additional stations which are of no concern to a description of the present invention. I

In the illustrated embodiment the winding machine includes a lower, channel-shaped frame member 20 and thereabove a housing 22, only a small portion being shown. A vertical shaft 24 is suitably journaled on the channel member 20 and the housing 22. This shaft has its lower end fixedly secured to a beveled gear 26 which mates with a pinion 28 intermittently rotated by a drive shaft 30 responsive to the usual control system of an automatic winding machine to index the creel 18 from station to station.

Lower horizontal supporting arms 32 are fixed to the vertical shaft 24 immediately above the channel member 20 and carry a pair of magnetic bobbin-holding seats 34, one on each of the outer ends of the arms.

Each seat 34 has a nonmagnetic pedestal 36 of nylon or other similar material suitably fixed at its lower end to the arm 32 with an upwardly facing socket 38 at its upper end which fixedly receives the permanent magnet 40, as by means of a screw. The pedestal 36 also has an annular frustoconical flange 42 diverging upwardly and outwardly from the magnet 40. Adjacent the magnet 40 the flange 42 substantially even with the top face of the magnet. The illustrated magnet 40 has a smooth upper face which is generally horizontal.

Upper, horizontal supporting arms 44 are fixed to the vertical shaft 24 for rotation therewith and each is bifurcated at its outer end with notches 46 to receive opposite horizontal pivot pins 48 of an annular collar 50. The collar 50 is rigidly secured to a bobbin receiving tube 52.

At the left-hand side of FIG. 1 the filled bobbin 14 is shown in solid lines dropping from the magazine 12 through the slowing device 16, and in phantom lines the bobbin 14 is shown in position after it has been dropped into the tube 52 and onto the magnetic seat 34 directly below the tube. A hollow core 54 of the bobbin 14 has an iron or steel ring 56 fixed to its lower, leading end and is thereby magnetically coupled to the magnetic seat 34 to prevent lifting of the bobbin from the seat during retrieval of the unwinding end 58 of yarn from the bobbin.

The right-hand portion of FIG. 1 shows an empty bobbin core 54 after being ejected from its seat. When the creel 18 indexes after unwinding of the yarn on the core, and immediately prior to the tube 52 being pivoted outwardly to eject the empty bobbin core, the top end of the core 52 is drawn across a core tilting camming member 60 secured to the creel housing 22, to tip the core, as may best be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 2 shows the creel l8 and core 54 in solid lines in the same position as in FIG. 1, and shows the core in phantom lines in two positions prior to the solid line position. The cam member 60 tips the core 54, as may best be seen in FIG. 3, so that the ring 56 is inclined with respect to the magnetic seat 34 and the magnetic coupling is at least partially broken, thereby facilitating sliding of the ring 56 off of the magnet 40 and up the annular flange 42 for ejection from the creel 18. An upstanding cam finger 62 on the collar 50 rides across a depending lobe 64 of an upper cam 66 concentric with the shaft 24 and fixedly secured to the winding machine housing 22 as by spacers 68. Thus the tube 52 is pivoted to slide the bobbin core ring 56 off of the magnetic seat 34 to discharge the core from the creel.

Should the tops of the bobbins cores, as core 70 in FIGS. 4-6, be below the top of the tube 52, a modified form of tilting member may be provided in lieu of the tilting cam member 60 shown in FIGS. 1-3. With reference to FIGS. 4-6 the tilting member comprises a bracket 72 fixedly secured to the housing 22 with a small plate 74 pivoted thereto by a pivot pin 76 transverse to the path of travel of the core 70 and the creel tube 52. A spring 78 urges the plate 74 opposite the direction of travel of the creel tube and a stop 80 on the bracket 72 limits movement of the plate to a generally vertical position. As the top of the tube 52 moves against the plate 74 the plate is pivoted counterclockwise (FIG. 6) and then snaps into the tube and against the top of the core 70 to tilt the core and at least partially break the magnetic coupling, as previously described.

With particular reference to FIGS. 1, 7 and 8, the slowing device 16 includes an upwardly diverging U-shaped wall 82 having a mounting flange 84 extending outwardly from its bight 86. The flange 84 has a pair of elongated slots 88 which receive bolts 90 for securing the wall 82 to a mounting bracket 91 for lateral movement of the wall as well as variation in the angular disposition of the wall. As may best be seen in FIG. 8, the bight 86 of the wall 82 is generally semicircular. A second wall 92 is opposed to the bight 86 of the U-shaped wall 82 and is secured by bolts 94 passing through elongated slots 96 in a pair of opposed edge flanges 98 and threaded into adjacent end portions of legs 100 of the U-shaped wall 82 to facilitate lateral movement of the second wall 92 as well as variation of its angular disposition. The second wall 92 has a generally straight bottom edge portion 102 formed with a curved return portion 104 to avoid the bobbin 14 passing over a sharp edge and scuffing the yarn. From the straight lower edge portion 102 the second wall 92 is formed upwardly with a gradually deepening and widening concave portion 106 as may best be seen in FIG. 8. The second wall 92 is positioned below the magazine 12 such that as the bobbin 14 drops, its ring 56 will effect initial contact with the second wall 92 and because of the concave configuration of this wall, should the bobbin ring 56 first contact along either side portion of the second wall 92 it will be deflected diagonally across the device and against the bight 86 of the U-shaped wall in a direction generally perpendicular to the tangent to the bight at the point of contact. Should the bobbin initially contact the center of the second wall it will be deflected directly across the device-to the center of the bight of the U-shaped wall and again initial contact will be in a direction generally perpendicular to the tangent of the bight at the point of contact. Through such perpendicular direction of contact, spiralling of the bobbin, which is apt to fling the free end of yarn from the bobbin core, is avoided.

It should be noted that the second wall 92 is inclined so that the body of yarn 108 on the bobbin core 54 does not make initial contact with the wall but rather, the ring 56 makes such initial contact and upon being deflected from the second wall 92 to the U-shaped wall 82, the ring 56 leads the flight and makes initial contact with the U-shaped wall. Thus, descent of the bobbin 14 is effectively slowed before the yarn 108 makes contact with the walls of the device.

Adjustablility of the walls 82 and 92 facilitates use of the slowing device 16 with various diameter bobbins l4 and also facilitates varying the inclinations of the walls to conform to the contour of the body of yarn 108 on the lower portion of the bobbin. The downwardly converging walls of the device center the bobbin above the creel tube 52 and cause the bobbin to drop in a vertical path into the creel tube.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 9, as the bobbin 14 drops into the tube 52 it could cause the tube to pivot as during ejection of the bobbin from the creel (right hand tube in FIG. 1). To eliminate this possibility, an abutment 110, in the form of an L-shaped member fixedly secured at its upper end to the housing 22, is closely proximate the upper end of the tube 52 to prevent any substantial pivotal movement of the tube in the receiving position. Continued downward movement of the bobbin 14 causes the ring 56 on the lower or leading end of the bobbin core 54 to seat on and be magnetically coupled to the magnetic seat 34.

What we claim is:

1. Apparatus for handling a bobbin having a leading end comprising, means for positioning the bobbin, sad positioning means including a seat for supporting the leading end of the bobbin, a receiver above said seat for receiving the bobbin, means mounting said receiver for movement to a bobbinejecting position to move the leading and of the bobbin off of said seat; and retaining means for preventing such novement of said receiver as the bobbin is received by the positioning means.

2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 including means above said positioning means for slowing movement of the bobbin and for passing the bobbin to said positioning means with the axis of the bobbin generally vertical.

3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which the mount ng means mounts said receiver for pivotal movement, and said retaining means comprises an abutment restraining the receiver against such pivotal movement as the bobbin is received by the positioning means.

4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 3 in which said positioning means includes means mounting said seat and said receiver for movement between a loading position for receiving the bobbin and a position for discharging the bobbin from said seat, and

in the discharging position said receiver being free of said abutment.

5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 3 including means for tilting said leading end of said bobbin on said seat to facilitate removal of the leading end from the seat prior to said receiver moving into said ejecting position.

6. Apparatus as set forth in claim 5 in which the tilting meanscomprises means for engaging an end of said bobbin opposite said leading end and moving said opposite end laterally.

7. Apparatus as set forth in claim 6 in which said seat includes means for magnetically coupling said leading end of the bobbin to the seat, and the tilting means upon so tilting said leading end is effective for at least partially breaking sad magnetic coupling to facilitate removal of the leading end from the seat.

8. Apparatus as set forth in claim 7 including means above said positioning means for slowing movement of the bobbin.

9. Apparatus as set forth in claim 8 in which the slowing means includes an inclined surface for receiving the leading end of the bobbin.

10. Apparatus as set forth in claim 8 in which said slowing means further includes downwardly converging surfaces, one of said surfaces being positioned for receiving the leading end of the bobbin upon initial contact of the bobbin and the slowing means.

11. Apparatus as set forth in claim 10in which said surfaces are concave and said slowing means further includes means for adjusting the spacing between said surfaces to accommodate bobbins of different sizes.

12. Apparatus for handling a bobbin having a leading end,

comprising means for positioning a bobbin and including a means comprises means for engaging an end of said bobbin opposite said leading end and moving said opposite end laterally.

14. Apparatus as set forth in claim 13 in which said seat includes means for magnetically coupling said leading end of the bobbin to the seat, and the tilting means upon so tilting said leading end is effective for at least partially breaking said magnetic coupling to facilitate removal of the leading end from the seat.

15. Apparatus as set forth in claim 14 including means above said positioning means for slowing movement of the bobbin to said receiving means and for passing the bobbin to said positioning means with the axis of the bobbin generally vertical.

16. Apparatus for controlling the movement of a yarn-cab rying bobbin through a predetermined path comprising, a first surface arranged to converge with said path for intercepting the bobbin, said bobbin being movable over said first surface as the bobbin moves through its predetermined path, a second surface opposed to said first surface, said second surface being inclined toward said first surface, each of said surfaces being generally concave, and means mounting said first surface at an angle relative to said path to permit a leading end of said bobbin to engage with said first surface prior to engagement of the yarn on the bobbin with the first surface as the bobbin moves over said first surface.

17. Apparatus as set forth in claim 16 in which said unit includes means for adjusting the spacing between said surfaces to accommodate different size bobbins.

18. A method of handling a bobbin magnetically coupled to a seat with said seat being movable between a first active position where said bobbin is disposed for unwinding of yarn thereonand a second position remote from said first position comprising, tilting the bobbin relative to the seat for at least partially breaking the coupling while moving said bobbin from said first to said second position, and removing the bobbin from the seat after tilting thereof.

19. A method as set forth in claim 18 in which the step of removing the bobbin comprises sliding the bobbin off of the seat as said bobbin moves to said second position. 

1. Apparatus for handling a bobbin having a leading end comprising, means for positioning the bobbin, sad positioning means including a seat for supporting the leading end of the bobbin, a receiver above said seat for receiving the bobbin, means mounting said receiver for movement to a bobbin-ejecting position to move the leading end of the bobbin off of said seat; and retaining means for preventing such movement of said receiver as the bobbin is received by the positioning means.
 2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 including means above said positioning means for slowing movement of the bobbin and for passing the bobbin to said positioning means with the axis of the bobbin generally vertical.
 3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which the mounting means mounts said receiver for pivotal movement, and said retaining means comprises an abutment restraining the receiver against such pivotal movement as the bobbin is received by the positioning means.
 4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 3 in which said positioning means includes means mounting said seat and said receiver for movement between a loading position for receiving the bobbin and a position for discharging the bobbin from said seat, and in the discharging position said receiver being free of said abutment.
 5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 3 including means for tilting said leading end of said bobbin on said seat to facilitate removal of the leading end from the seat prior to said receiver moving into said ejecting position.
 6. Apparatus as set forth in claim 5 in which the tilting means comprises means for engaging an end of said bobbin opposite said leading end and moving said opposite end laterally.
 7. Apparatus as set forth in claim 6 in which said seat includes means for magnetically coupling said leading end of the bobbin to the seat, and the tilting means upon so tilting said leading end is effective for at least partially breaking sad magnetic coupling to facilitate removal of the leading end from the seat.
 8. Apparatus as set forth in claim 7 including means above said positioning means for slowing movement of the bobbin.
 9. Apparatus as set forth in claim 8 in which the slowing means includes an inclined surface for receiving the leading end of the bobbin.
 10. Apparatus as set forth in claim 8 in which said slowing means further includes downwardly converging surfaces, one of said surfaces being positioned for receiving the leading end of the bobbin upon initial contact of the bobbin and the slowing means.
 11. Apparatus as set forth in claim 10 in which said surfaces are concave and said slowing means further includes means for adjusting the spacing between said surfaceS to accommodate bobbins of different sizes.
 12. Apparatus for handling a bobbin having a leading end, comprising means for positioning a bobbin and including a seat for supporting the leading end of the bobbin, a receiver above said seat for receiving the bobbin, means mounting said receiver for movement to a bobbin-ejecting position to move the leading end of the bobbin off of said seat, and means for tilting said leading end of said bobbin on said seat to facilitate removal of the leading end from the seat prior to said receiver moving into said ejecting position.
 13. Apparatus as set forth in claim 12 in which the tilting means comprises means for engaging an end of said bobbin opposite said leading end and moving said opposite end laterally.
 14. Apparatus as set forth in claim 13 in which said seat includes means for magnetically coupling said leading end of the bobbin to the seat, and the tilting means upon so tilting said leading end is effective for at least partially breaking said magnetic coupling to facilitate removal of the leading end from the seat.
 15. Apparatus as set forth in claim 14 including means above said positioning means for slowing movement of the bobbin to said receiving means and for passing the bobbin to said positioning means with the axis of the bobbin generally vertical.
 16. Apparatus for controlling the movement of a yarn-carrying bobbin through a predetermined path comprising, a first surface arranged to converge with said path for intercepting the bobbin, said bobbin being movable over said first surface as the bobbin moves through its predetermined path, a second surface opposed to said first surface, said second surface being inclined toward said first surface, each of said surfaces being generally concave, and means mounting said first surface at an angle relative to said path to permit a leading end of said bobbin to engage with said first surface prior to engagement of the yarn on the bobbin with the first surface as the bobbin moves over said first surface.
 17. Apparatus as set forth in claim 16 in which said unit includes means for adjusting the spacing between said surfaces to accommodate different size bobbins.
 18. A method of handling a bobbin magnetically coupled to a seat with said seat being movable between a first active position where said bobbin is disposed for unwinding of yarn thereon and a second position remote from said first position comprising, tilting the bobbin relative to the seat for at least partially breaking the coupling while moving said bobbin from said first to said second position, and removing the bobbin from the seat after tilting thereof.
 19. A method as set forth in claim 18 in which the step of removing the bobbin comprises sliding the bobbin off of the seat as said bobbin moves to said second position. 